Dive Brief:
- DHL signed two deals this week with Google and Envision aimed at reducing emissions generated by its global shipping and transportation network and increasing its investment in sustainable aviation fuel.
- The shipping and logistics company said Wednesday it was teaming up with Google to decarbonize air cargo transportation technologies by offering its “DHL Express GoGreen Plus” service to the tech giant. The service uses sustainable aviation fuel for deliveries, allowing customers to slash carbon dioxide equivalent emissions associated with their shipments.
- The deal came shortly after DHL announced Monday it was collaborating with green technology company Envision Group to develop sustainable logistics solutions, increase SAF innovation and accelerate its renewable energy procurement.
Dive Insight:
The deals build on DHL’s 2030 sustainability goals, which include decreasing annual greenhouse gas emissions to under 29 million metric tons. Such a decrease will rely on DHL reducing its scope 1 and scope 2 absolute emissions by 42% and scope 3 absolute emissions by 25%, per its science-based target for the end of the decade.
The shipping company also has end-of-decade targets to increase its share of sustainable fuels by more than 30%, electrify 60% of vehicles used for last-mile delivery and procure green alternatives for all its core products and services.
DHL’s deal with Google will also provide the tech company with express shipping services for Google devices across the Americas, Asia and Europe. The partnership stems from a pilot project the two companies did last June which used SAF and supported “cleaner, greener logistics,” according to the press release issued by the companies. Following the pilot, Google cemented its partnership and signed onto DHL’s GoGreen Plus service.
The SAF used for this sustainable shipping service is designed to replace traditional jet fuel and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80%, compared to fossil fuels, according to DHL.
DHL’s deal with Envision also focuses on SAF, recognizing it as a “critical component in reducing carbon emissions in air transportation and advancing the decarbonization of the aviation industry,” per Monday’s release.
As part of the agreement, Envision — which designs and manufactures green and net-zero technologies — will provide DHL with SAF and also help the shipping company explore renewable feedstock sources and procure “green power” to curb its carbon footprint in the air transportation sector.
DHL and Envision also aim to build a “Net Zero Industrial Park.” The industrial park will be designed to boost new electric power systems models, develop “green industrial ecosystems,” and accelerate the global green transition across industries such as electric vehicle and battery manufacturing, per the release.
